Moore shines for Cummings

Published: Saturday, May 18, 2013 at 01:17 AM.

“I just think about running my race because I know she runs a good time, so she’s my motivation,” Stephens said. “When I get out, I think about her pushing me.”

That performance helped Stephens overcome what she termed a disappointing seventh-place finish in the triple jump.

“It’s bittersweet because I wanted to do better in triple jump, but I think the 300 hurdles made up for it,” Stephens said.

Graham’s 1,600 relay of Jasmine Atkins, Jasmine Upsher, Kierra Bradshaw and Rachel Thompson finished fourth in 4:12.68. The Red Devils recorded that finish by blowing past teams in the first of two heats in the event.

GREENSBORO — Going from the high jump area to the starting blocks for the 110-meter hurdles, Isaiah Moore didn’t have much time for reflection Friday afternoon at North Carolina A&T during the Class 2-A state championships for track and field.

Moore had just let loose a disappointed “Ahhh!” after failing to clear 6 feet, 8 inches in the high jump, finishing second.

“I had maybe five minutes. That’s pretty good, I got a little warm,” Moore said. “I just sat there … trying to catch my breath and make sure I didn’t cramp up.”

A few minutes and the 110 hurdles race later, the Cummings High School star let out another “Ahhh!”

This time, the exclamation came with a tone of celebration.

Moore won the 110 hurdles and came within a hundredth of a second of tying the Class 2-A state championship mark in the event, finishing in 14.11 seconds. The record of 14.10 is held by John Bostick of North Rowan (in 2008).

“I wanted (the record) so bad. I thought I did everything, I thought I had run a 13,” Moore said. “I was just happy winning. Still upset, though.”

Moore’s performance — in addition to the victory in the 110 hurdles and runner-up finish in the high jump (6 feet, 6 inches), he won the long jump (23-4) and finished second in the 300 hurdles (39.2) — earned him the meet’s Most Outstanding Performer award for the second straight year.

He scored 36 points as an individual to lead the Cummings boys’ team to a second-place finish behind Cedar Ridge’s 63 points. Cummings finished with 59 points overall, boosted by a victory and second-place showing in the 300 hurdles and 110 hurdles (14.29), respectively, by Thomas Jones II and a fourth-place finish in the shot put (49-2) by Will Richardson.

Moore’s day started with the long jump and brought an ominous start.

“Long jump was kind of scary. I had scratched two of my jumps and nobody was getting on the board,” Moore said with a chuckle. “We were all just like, ‘Is 20-foot gonna win it?’

“On my first jump, I felt like the board sucked me in and I couldn’t get up at all. I was like, ‘Oh God this ain’t going to be a good day.’ ”

That initial thought was quickly erased and Moore concluded his day by finishing second in the 300 hurdles after entering the event with the seventh-fastest qualifying time.

“I had been thinking since (Thursday) night, I had to do something different because my strategy wasn’t working and I kept stutter-stepping,” Moore said of the 300 hurdles. “I was trying to figure out how I could help and how I could … not be in seventh place again.”

Jones and Moore flipped their 110 hurdles finishes for the 300 hurdles, with Jones winning the event for the third straight season. Jones ran a 38.5 — marking a season best for him after he battled through an early-season knee injury.

“I felt, it’s my senior and I’ve won a state championship back-to-back, so there shouldn’t be a reason why I shouldn’t win it again,” Jones said.

It also marked a surreal day for Jones, who completed the final meet of his high school career at the track where he’ll begin his college career.

“Just waking up (Friday) morning, I figured this would be the last time I’ll put on a Cummings uniform,” Jones said. “I know I really wanted to come out and run good times just for a last meet.”

Bartlett Yancey’s Bryan Winn also took advantage of his last high school meet by finishing with a personal best in the 800 meters.

Winn held the lead until about the last 80 meters, when he was passed by West Stokes’ Jason Barber. Winn stumbled and appeared to be headed for a heartbreaking crash before re-gaining his footing and finishing second at 2:00.79.

“It was really hard (not to fall). I had to give everything I had,” Winn said. “I’ve never had that happen.”

Stephens’ performance in the 300 hurdles came behind High Point Andrews’ Nora McKiver, who set a meet record in 42.7. With more than a 3-second gap between McKiver and Stephens, the Cummings senior stayed focused.

“I just think about running my race because I know she runs a good time, so she’s my motivation,” Stephens said. “When I get out, I think about her pushing me.”

That performance helped Stephens overcome what she termed a disappointing seventh-place finish in the triple jump.

“It’s bittersweet because I wanted to do better in triple jump, but I think the 300 hurdles made up for it,” Stephens said.

Graham’s 1,600 relay of Jasmine Atkins, Jasmine Upsher, Kierra Bradshaw and Rachel Thompson finished fourth in 4:12.68. The Red Devils recorded that finish by blowing past teams in the first of two heats in the event.